Proof/Test Cards

[centrehice]

Many proof cards are not from sheets, but were sent to LCS stores, especially in the late 90's through to about 2003, & dependent on their number are much more scarce than the originals. I just sold a proof for more money than the original is worth, and it has no serial number, and no other identifying marks, other than a Proof Hole Punch.

For those persons that want every card of a player, a proof is embraced as much as a 1/1, especially if its almost impossible to find.

[Hockeyplaya20]

I've acquired a few of the Sateri ones because the actual cards were either not produced or I couldn't get the actual one. I feel that if they're at a reasonable price, I'll pick them up to have as it adds to the collection.

[CoolHandLuke]

For many they would not touch them for others they will pick up a few. I don't think many see them as unique 1/1 but everyone is welcome to view them as they wish. In the end, don't pay to high for them because resell value would not be high and demand low.

[royfan]

I picked up his Kassian's, nice guy.

[centrehice]

For many they would not touch them for others they will pick up a few. I don't think many see them as unique 1/1 but everyone is welcome to view them as they wish. In the end, don't pay to high for them because resell value would not be high and demand low.

A lot of collectors like myself don't collect 1/1's I'm a cardboard guy from the 60's, so proof can mean a lot especially when it's an issue with few made. Not everybody collects todays cards.

[iidaemmi]

I don't like them at all. Couple of years ago I bought some Pacific test-proofs etc from Leximo. The more I bought, the more he listed them. He also fills ebay with these proofs.

Harri

[leximo]

Hi everyone, I rarely log on to SCF, but wanted to respond since I saw this thread. All the Cup proofs I sell are indeed from uncut sheets. I know a lot of people can't stand them, and some are indifferent to them while others love them. But as has already been said in this thread, to each his own. While I've sold at least a couple thousand of these over the years, it's slowed down quite a bit in the past year (a victim of my own success, perhaps). Or just less desire for such items. The last couple years, I've typically tried to pick up only one of each sheet to cut up. I don't advertise them as 1/1s, unless it's a Shields proof or a Black parallel proof, but most of the time, I actually only have one of each available.

So while they are rare, the demand for certain ones may be low or nonexistent as well. However, for those player collectors who have to have one of everything of their players, I have a lot of happy repeat customers. I try very hard to make sure people know what they are bidding on, but a lot of people just don't read.

Back in May, I bought over 300,000 Topps proofs (most from the '90s) from a guy whose dad worked for Topps for 37 years as Director of Production and Quality Control, so I've been listing some of those the past 6 months. And for 2013 The Cup, I've purchased 10 sheets so far that I'll be cutting up to sell individual proof cards off of whenever I receive them. Most of the older ones, I've been blowing out the past few times I've listed, selling most for $1. Just to clear some older inventory.

Many people who buy from me email me to thank me for the opportunity to pick up some unique/rare items of their players, even though they know there won't be any real value down the road. Which, I guess can be said about a lot of regular cards that are released as well.

Regards, Alexis

[87sluggo]

Hi Alexis!

I'm one of your repeat customers, I know your cards are "worthless" but thanks to you & your cards and various autograph events I'm the proud owner of these............











These three cards, plus some 01/02 Fleer Greats pre-production mockups that I bought from you, don't exist anywhere else on earth but in my little Hall of Fame room. Anyone with a ton of dollars can go out and get the best hockey collection out there easily, but you sell the stuff that makes a collection unique. I'll be your customer til one of us shuffles off to the next plane of existence :)

[leximo]

Thanks for sharing, and for the kind words. That's very cool that you got them signed. I know some of my other buyers have had some signed, too.

[Wickabee]

Ed.
I want the Kes...NOW!